In need of Prayer for Athletes? Below are a few that can help.
As an athlete, it takes a lot of hard work, determination, diligence and courage to partake in sporting events.
There are highs and lows, and many times disappointment, victories, injuries, teamwork, and perseverance.
Though a lot of what goes into sport is physical, we can still seek God for guidance as athletes as we prepare for completions, and events.
As an athlete, your health is vitally important, and injuries are the last thing that an athlete desires.
Along with the physical measures that we can take to improve our health, and strengthen our bodies, we can ask God to keep us safe from any illness,
protect us from any injuries and help us to be disciplined in our training, and at peace in our hearts and minds.
It is not only our performance that makes us a great athlete, but also our character.
We often hear the term good sportsmanship to describe a person or a team who shows character and humility, whether they take the first spot or not.
As Christians who have a stage as athletes, we have the opportunity to show Christ to those who we compete against, and to our team members, if we are playing team sports.
The way we interact, the way we train, the way we win or the way we lose, all communicate a message to those around us.
Through prayer we can ask God to make us a light on the sports field, and to radiate Christ to those around us.
If there is one quality necessary for any sport, that is endurance. God’s word tells us in Hebrews 12:1, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Though the race that is talked about is our spiritual race, it is something that athletes can hold onto not only as an encouragement for their walk with Christ but also in the physical race that they face.
Prayer for Athletes
Prayer for Before Sports Event
Heavenly Father,
Thank You so much for the talent that You have given me.
Thank You that I get to use my skills to partake in a sport that I love, and that has taught me so many things, and given me so many opportunities.
As I prepare for the event ahead of me, I ask that You quiet any anxious thoughts inside of me.
Please help me not to look to the left or to the right, and be worried about what others are doing or how they have prepared.
Help me to keep my eyes on the race that lies ahead of me, trusting that You will go before me.
Please help me to think soberly, and to apply all that I have learned and practiced in preparation for this event.
More than that, help me to be Your representative when I walk on and off the field.
Help me to be respectful to other opponents, and to be honest and fair. Please protect me from any injuries, and help me to do the best that I can.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for Recovery from Injury
Lord,
I am grateful for the gift of sports, and that I get to take part in it.
Though it is not always easy, and it can take a strain on my body, I am grateful that I get to not only experience the joy of being an athlete but that others are blessed who enjoy watching sports.
There are hard parts to this kind of life, and that is when you get injured.
You know the injury that I am struggling with, and how it has been affecting me, and preventing me from using my talents to the best of my ability.
I ask that You touch the areas that need healing, and provide Your healing power.
Please help me to rest when I need to rest, and to do what is necessary on my side to make a full recovery.
I ask that You would please help me to manage any pain, and help me not to become discouraged.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving for Talent
Lord in Heaven,
Thank You for blessing me with the talent that You have given me.
I have found so much joy, learned so many lessons, and have had a big part of my character shaped through sport.
There is a unity, understanding, adrenaline and joy that I share with so many others all over the world through sports. \
Though it takes a lot of work and dedication, I know it is not my own skill or abilities, and that there is no foundation to be boastful.
Everything that I have and all that I am is because of You. Thank You for this gift and passion that You have bestowed on me.
Help me not to make an idol of it, but rather to see it as a means by which I can glorify You with my gifts.
Please help me to train and to compete for Your glory, and to do it for You and not for the praise or the approval of man.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Prayer for Training
Father,
As I prepare, and train my body, I ask that You would help me to be disciplined.
There are so many disciplines that vie for my attention, and it is easy to choose what seems convenient rather than what is necessary.
Even before I train, I ask that You would help me to get into the right mindset.
Keep me from murmuring or grumbling when I train, and help me to remember that it is not when I compete, but rather when I try, that really matters most.
What I do when there is no crowd, or no competition, is what will come forth when there is a crowd and when I face competition.
Please help me to persevere, even when I feel like I can’t go on.
Help me to know when to stop, and rest, as well.
In Jesus’ name, amen.